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GOVERNMENT FLEET
MAY 2011 • A BOBIT PUBLICATION • VOLUME 9 - ISSUE 3
WWW.GFLEET.COM
FEATURES 14 PARTS OPERATION: IN-HOUSE OR OUTSOURCE? A fleet’s parts inventory is critical to keeping its maintenance and repair process moving forward — and keeping units on the road. Several critical elements to consider are discussed from both the in-house and outsourced perspectives.
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18 PLANNING FACILITIES FOR MODERN AND FUTURE USE When planning and designing a fleet facility, consider site location, prepare it for new or future technologies, and review commonly overlooked issues.
22 14 COMPETE FOR 2011 PUBLIC SECTOR FLEET MANAGER OF THE YEAR The 2011 award, sponsored by ARI and Fleet Counselor Services, recognizes the best in public sector fleet management and will be presented at the Government Fleet Expo & Conference in San Diego.
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26 OIL INITIATIVES GOVERNMENT FLEETS SHOULD CONSIDER Conducting periodic oil analysis, using re-refined or recycled oil, and revisiting oil filter usage will lessen an operation’s impact on the environment, extend maintenance cycles, and reduce reliance on foreign oil.
26 30 GFX 2011 TO FOCUS ON FLEET EFFICIENCY Educational presentations, brainstorming sessions, and networking events provide fleet managers the opportunity to learn from industry professionals ways to improve fleet efficiency.
DEPARTMENTS 4 ON THE WEB 6 MAIL STOP 8 INDUSTRY NEWS ■ Austin Receives Alt-Fuel Grant ■ County Sees $8M Fuel Cost Increase
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E Q U I P M E N T //////////////////////////////////
37 MAXIMIZE THE LIFE OF GROUNDS MAINTENANCE EQUIPMENT Manufacturers recommend maintenance schedules and key maintenance procedures for the pieces they sell to government fleets. Some also offer software programs or online support. Government Fleet (USPS 740) is published bi-monthly, with an additional issue in June, by Bobit Business Media, 3520 Challenger Street, Torrance, California 90503-1640. Periodicals Postage Paid at Torrance CA 90503-9998 and Additional Mailing Offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Government Fleet, P.O. Box 1068 Skokie, IL 60076-8068. Please allow six to eight weeks for address changes to take effect. Please allow six to eight weeks to receive your first issue. Bobit Business Media reserves the right to refuse nonqualified subscriptions. Please address editorial and advertising correspondence to the executive offices at 3520 Challenger Street, Torrance, California 90503-1640. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced either in whole or in part without the consent of Bobit Business Media. All statements made, although based on information believed to be reliable and accurate, cannot be guaranteed and no fault or liability can be accepted for error or omission.
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Government Fleet
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40 PRODUCTS 44 PUBLIC FORUM ON THE COVER: M Municipal fleets ddiscuss their parts ooperations from both tthe in-house and ooutsourced perspecttives. S Special thanks to the City of Torrance, C Calif. C GF05_Cover.indd C1
4/19/11 9:27:28 AM
May 2011
4/21/11 9:49:10 AM
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What You're Reading www.government-fleet.com w
THE 1
5
Government-fleet.com’s Top 5 most popular stories as of April 15, 2011.
GOVERNMENT FLEET NAMES 2011 PUBLIC SECTOR FLEET MANAGER OF THE YEAR FINALISTS Visit www.government-fleet.com/News for the names of this year’s three finalists.
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OBAMA PLAN LIMITS FED FLEET PURCHASES TO ALT-FUEL MODELS AFTER 2015 Obama plans to convert the fleet of 600,000 vehicles to alternative-fuel models.
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BI-FUEL POLICE VEHICLES AT ATLANTA PROPANE WORKSHOP Force 911 exhibited two bi-fuel propane vehicles — a 2007 Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor and a 2010 Chevrolet Silverado 1500.
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CHARLOTTESVILLE SAVING $100,000 ANNUALLY WITH HYBRIDS The City uses 45 alternative-fuel vehicles, including 16 bi-fuel (CNG and gasoline) vehicles, 21 hybrid-electric vehicles, and five flex fuel (ethanol and gasoline) vans.
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WEB XCLUSIVE: HOW MINNEAPOLIS IMPLEMENTED ITS GREEN FLEET POLICY Minneapolis approved a Green Fleet Policy, written by Fleet Services, designed to reduce vehicle emissions. Fleet Services discusses how the policy came to be and the team’s methods and progression during the year-long process.
Telematics
Safety
Remarketing
WHAT WE’RE W B LO BLOGGING ABOUT MARKET TRENDS
By Mike Antich www.government-fleet.com/ Blog/GF-Market-Trends.aspx ANTICH
April 18: The Value of Creating a Fleet Advisory Board December 6: You’re Only as Good as Your Staff November 22: Be Part of the Solution, Not Part of the Problem
THE FLEET CHANNELS Industry Trends
5
Fuel
Use the navigator on the government-fleet.com home page to browse the latest articles from the channels. Enter a channel to view in-depth news, articles, tools, calculators, and more related to that specific topic.
November 15: Maximizing Utilization as a CostContainment Strategy
FLEET BLOGS:
View strategies for how to increase real-time control and communication within your fleet. The resources provided in this channel will educate you on how to enhance the capabilities of your drivers and field workers to meet customer expectations.
The Voice of the Fleet Community (www.fleetblogs.com)
• • • • •
by Wayne Smolda
Siemens Streamlines Vehicle Relocation Managing Your Off-Road Fleet from a Desktop
April 7: Bravo, President Obama
Bright Ideas Energize Fleet Management
by Joseph Thompson
9 Mistakes to Avoid When Playing ‘Musical Cars’
April 6: Myth Busted: Changing Your Air Filter Saves MPG
How Can Telematics Help Your Fleet?
RECEIVE BREAKING NEWS WHEN IT HAPPENS Sign up for Government Fleet’s bi-weekly eNewsletter for timely updates on the latest industry news in public sector fleet management, as well as research and trends, industry events, and current Government Fleet magazine articles and features. Subscribe at www.government-fleet.com. 4
April 8: Musings on the Eve of the Fleet Executive of the Year Award
Government Fleet
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by Steve Fowler
March 30: Here’s a Tip, and Keep the (Annoying) Change
by Elisa Durand
March 23: Increase Your Net Worth
by Anonymous Public Fleet Manager Interested in starting your own blog? Go to www.fleetblogs.com for more information.
May 2011
4/21/11 9:52:38 AM
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SAFER. At Ford Fleet we believe in taking safety to new heights. That's why active and passive safety technologies such as adaptive cruise control and collision warning with brake support, Safety Canopy® System, AdvanceTrac ® with Roll Stability Control™ and SOS Post-Crash Alert System™ have been developed to help provide an extra measure of protection for your employees in their Ford vehicles. And it doesn’t stop there. New technologies like BLIS ® (Blind Spot Information System) are available to help increase situational awareness and driver confidence. Because nothing boosts confidence like knowing your fleet is well-protected. Ford Fleet. Get More.
fleet.ford.com
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4/21/11 12:07:16 9:52:43 AM 4/23/10 PM
MAIL STOP STRIVING TO CULTIVATE THE RIGHT EMPLOYEE BEHAVIOR I completely agree with the Public Forum editorial entitled, “You’re Only as Good as Your Staff.” It was right on target. (See March/April GF.) At the City of Cedar Rapids, we use comment cards, employee surveys, and electronic survey tools, but when all is said and done, it is a behavior we are trying to cultivate within our employees at all levels. I care less about what is on a customer survey than I do about how my staff and I interact with our customers in their daily activities. I always view surveys as a “what happened right before I filled this out” versus hearing that we treated customers the same exceptional way each and every day. This is not to say we have a perfect customer service atmosphere; it is a growing thing that needs constant attention to ensure it grows. Our staff members know the importance of service, and we remind each other of that.
decision-making authority to individual department heads, which results in operator-driven decisions. Operators choose their preferred makes and m models, ancillary e equipment, and d drivetrain configurations, thus d destroying proven c reductions cost fr standardizafrom ti tion. Stephen Kibler, ACFM St Fleet Manager City of Loveland, Colo.
FINDING AN EQUILIBRIUM POINT I think a major challenge facing today’s public sector fleet managers is finding an equilibrium point between maintaining core services and dealing with budget reduction for fleet operations. Budget reductions are no longer a once-a-year issue — we faced up to three reductions within one budget cycle. It is a challenge for fleet managers to keep adjusting the core services we provide to our customers. Terence Kyaw Fleet Manager Fleet and MSC Management Division Public Works Services Department Redwood City, Calif.
Dennis Hogan, CPFP/CAFM Fleet Services Manager Fleet Services Division City of Cedar Rapids, Iowa
BE PART OF THE SOLUTION, NOT PART OF THE PROBLEM The blog written by Mike Antich entitled, “Be Part of the Solution, Not Part of the Problem” was a very timely article. I shared it with upper and top management at the City of Loveland, Colo. A key issue driving up our costs that is outside our ability to control, or even plan for, is decentralized fleet control. This involves giving fleet 6
Government Fleet
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THE PUBLIC’S FICKLE NEEDS Like everyone else in the nation, the biggest challenges facing the City of Lakewood, Colo., involve cost cutting for tightened budgets both for 2011 and 2012 and most likely future years. We are also challenged with balancing the increased costs of goods and services with tightened budgets and continued demands for public services. Sometimes it’s difficult to
understand the fickle needs of the public. We want our services, but we just don’t want to pay for them. Nina Hoffert Fleet Manager City of Lakewood, Colo.
INSPIRING AND TO THE POINT I had a chance to read Tom Johnson’s book, “If It Was Easy, They Wouldn’t Call It Hard: The 7 Qualities of the 100 Best Fleets in North America.” It was inspiring and it gets to the point. Over my career, I have been fortunate to be part of several fleet manager groups in the Northwest. These include the Northwest Electric Utilities group and Oregon Public Fleet Managers association. I’m constantly amazed at how many operations just don’t have a clue of what their operations are really costing them. It’s been a few years, but I remember working for an investor-owned utility when the fleet operation was approached about outsourcing the shop. I never saw a bunch of guys so terrified and worried as to whether they were going to have a job. Fortunately, we got a break; upper management gave the fleet manager time (and a chance) to determine the real cost of running the operation. Being new and part of the management team, we all learned how to be competitive. Since then, I’ve been recruited to run several different fleet operations in the public sector, most recently the Eugene Water & Electric Board (EWEB) in Eugene, Ore. One of the things I learned over the years is that the fleet manager has the responsibility to run the fleet efficiently, but he or she also has the duty to protect jobs. You can’t do that with-
out knowing what your costs are and what’s happening with the operation on a daily basis. In a nutshell, the 100 Best Fleets program has probably saved many careers because it has raised the bar for so many fleet operations. I truly commend Tom Johnson for developing this program. Being fairly new to EWEB’s fleet operation (two years), we will be submitting our first application for the 100 Best Fleets. EWEB has a long history of tracking information and data; we just didn’t do anything with it. We’ve since taken this information and implemented new programs, measured the things that really mattered, and developed a high-performing team that exhibits so much pride in their work. We’re really looking forward to see how we stack up to some of the best. Gary Lentsch Fleet Supervisor Eugene Water & Electric Board Eugene, Ore.
The 100 Best Fleets program was developed by Tom Johnson, an independent fleet consultant and workplace authority, to recognize and reward peakperforming fleet operations in North America. The program identifies these outstanding operations for other fleets to emulate and provides them with national recognition. Prior to launching his own company, Johnson worked for a fleet management company for 17 years analyzing fleets. In the past 30 years, he has analyzed about 3,500 fleets. Johnson has written two books on fleet management. His first book on team building sold more than 23,000 copies. It was customized by Sears Roebuck for its Corporate University. – Editor
May 2011
4/21/11 9:53:50 AM
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Universal Acceptance - means access to over 90% of all U.S. fuel sites Rethink the way you manage your fleet.
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4/20/11 9:53:51 1:26:21 AM PM 4/21/11
INDUSTRY NEWS Austin Receives ASE Blue Seal & $5M Alt-Fuel Grant VP and Group Publisher Sherb Brown (310) 533-2451 • Sherb.Brown@bobit.com Publisher Eric Bearly (310) 533-2579 • Eric.Bearly@bobit.com Editor and Associate Publisher Mike Antich (310) 533-2467 • Mike.Antich@bobit.com Managing Editor Lauren Fletcher (310) 533-2415 • Lauren.Fletcher@bobit.com Senior Editor Grace L. Suizo (310) 533-2414 • Grace.Suizo@bobit.com Associate Editor Thi Dao (310) 533-2544 • Thi.Dao@bobit.com Web Editor Greg Basich (310) 533-2572 • Greg.Basich@bobit.com Production Director/Manager Kelly Bracken (310) 533-2574 Brian Peach (310) 533-2548 Art Director Vince Taroc Editorial Consultant Howard Rauch DISTRICT ADVERTISING MANAGERS Publisher/Sales Manager Eric Bearly (310) 533-2579 • Eric.Bearly@bobit.com
Sales & Marketing Coordinator Tracey Tremblay (310) 533-2518 Chairman Edward J. Bobit President & Chief Executive Officer Ty F. Bobit Chief Financial Officer Richard E. Johnson Business and Editorial Office Bobit Business Media 3520 Challenger Street Torrance, CA 90503-1640 FAX: (310) 533-2503 Change Service Requested Return Address Government Fleet PO Box 1068 Skokie, IL 60076-8068
Government Fleet
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The vehicles the City plans to purchase with the $5 million grant include five CNG sweepers for Solid Waste Services, Public Works, and Aviation; two all-electric trucks for the City’s Parks and Recreation Department; and four hydraulic-assist hybrid refuse trucks and 17 CNG refuse trucks for the City’s Solid Waste Services, according to Calk. “A lot of cities talk about building sustainability in their operations and their fleet; Aus-
tin is doing something about it, and it’s helped make it one of the more desirable places to live,” Calk said, adding that Austin’s commitment to the environment is one of the things that attracted him to live there. Calk has been with the City for nearly three years and has 45 years of fleet experience. The City of Austin was also recently honored with a NAFA Sustainable Fleet Award, presented to Calk at this year’s I&E in April.
MINNEAPOLIS – The Minneapolis City Council approved a Green Fleet Policy on March 7 that aims to reduce and inventory fleet vehicle emissions, optimize fleet size, and ensure lowemission vehicle procurement. John Scharffbillig, director of fleet services, and the Fleet Services Division (FSD) wrote the policy. The City operates about 2,000 units, about 1,300 of which are on-road vehicles. Scharffbillig said about 550 units of the vehicle fleet already utilize some form of alternative fuel. Policy highlights include: • Establishment of a vehicle inventory list. The City of Minneapolis Fleet Services • Possible fleet reduction recommendations based on division green team includes (l-r) Gary utilization. • Cost-effective replacement vehicle purchases that will Dahl, Bill Gauthier, Al Thunberg, and Director of FSD John Scharffbillig. achieve the greatest emissions reductions, with specified exemptions. • Oversight committee to monitor compliance and annual reporting to determine effectiveness. Regarding concerns about the increased cost of “green” vehicles, Scharffbillig emphasized, “You don’t need to buy a hybrid to go green.” As an example, he stated that tailpipe emissions for a Ford Focus in comparison to those of a Ford Escape, using EPA SmartWay guidelines, are much lower. Read a WebXclusive article about the FSD’s steps toward policy implementation online at www.gfleet.com/magazine.
PHOTO COURTESY JOHN SCHARFFBILLIG
(248) 601-2005 FAX: (248) 601-2004 Robert.Brown@bobit.com
8
In the City of Austin, Texas, 1,071 of its 5,303 units already operate on some form of alternative fuel, including CNG, propane, E-85, and hybrid system.
Minneapolis Implements Green Fleet Policy
Great Lakes Robert Brown Jr. 1000 W. University Dr., Ste. 209 Rochester, MI 48307
Printed in USA
AUSTIN, TEXAS – The City of Austin earned a $5 million grant to purchase alternativefuel and/or hybrid vehicles for its fleet from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. This grant comes on the heels of Austin’s Fleet Services Division Centers 1, 5, and 6 achieving the Blue Seal of Excellence designation by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). The City is also expecting a fourth service center (No. 13) to be certified in the near future, according to Gerry Calk, fleet officer for the City. Only 86 facilities in Texas have achieved the Blue Seal of Excellence (less than one-tenth of 1 percent of eligible repair facilities nationwide). Of those, 16 are public sector municipal facilities, and three are from the City of Austin, according to the City. “We’re working on getting them all certified,” Calk said.
May 2011
4/21/11 9:55:38 AM
AF0111roush.indd 1
THE ZERO COMPROMISE
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PERFORMANCE: IDENTICAL VEHICLE WARRANTY: IDENTICAL FUEL COSTS: 30% LESS EMISSIONS: 60% LESS
The Choice Is Clear — And Clean. Your fleet can get the same horsepower and torque performance as gasoline for 30% less in fuel costs – and with 60% fewer emissions — thanks to ROUSH CleanTech Liquid Propane Injection fuel systems. Propane autogas fuel systems by ROUSH CleanTech let you operate on a price-stable, North Americansourced fuel with no engine modifications required. That means you’ll get all the benefits of propane autogas, with no compromises in your vehicle’s factory warranty protection.
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2009 – Newer Ford E-150 / E-250 / E-350 (5.4L V8)
2009 – Newer Ford E-350 DRW Cutaway (5.4L V8)
2009 – Newer Ford E-450 DRW Cutaway (6.8L V10)
ROUSHcleantech.com 12/13/10 4/21/11 12:58:16 9:55:41 AM PM
INDUSTRY NEWS New York City Considers Leasing Light-Duty Fleet NEW YORK CITY – The New York City Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) is looking for leasing strategy recommendations for its City-wide fleet of 13,500 light-, medium-, and specialty-duty vehicles, specifically sedans and hybrid vehicles, light-duty trucks, SUVs, and vans under 14,000 lbs. GVW. The City issued a request for information (RFI) on March 1 for planning purposes, and a City representative stated that there was not a request for proposal (RFP) out at the time. According to City documents, the purpose of the RFI is to determine the interest and capabilities of respondents to lease the specified vehicle types through a finance-lease model, where a vendor would purchase and then lease back vehicles to the City. The RFI requests information about ways to reduce costs of leased and owned vehicles without negatively affecting services and still reduce overall environmental impact. It also asks for information about other potential scenarios to manage the City fleet. The leasing program would cover preventive and regular maintenance as well as safety inspections. It would also require regular reporting to ensure the City’s fleet meets safety and environmental standards, City documents stated.
Police Officers Test Drive Ford Interceptors
DEARBORN, MI – Ford enlisted police officers to test its new Police Interceptor sedan and utility vehicles in six webisodes that can be viewed at www.gfleet.com/news (keyword: Ford Interceptor). Officers tested Interceptor power and performance on a black lake simulating slick conditions; capability and durability in the Dog Bone gravel pit; and acceleration, handling, and braking tests on a tight cone course. Ford put its new Interceptor up against the Chevrolet Tahoe PPV and Dodge Charger Pursuit police car. “We set out to develop our new Police Interceptors to not only meet the current leader — our own Crown Victoria — but to exceed it and the competition,” said Lisa Teed, Ford Police Interceptor marketing manager. Both Ford Police Interceptors will debut after production of the Crown Victoria Police Interceptor ends at the end of 2011. 10
Government Fleet
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SAN DIEGO – The City of San Diego’s City Council unanimously approved the proposal to enter into a master lease agreement with Chase Equipment Finance to fund vehicle and equipment purchases during 2011 and 2012. This approval came after the City decided to go with managed competition for fleet maintenance services on Feb. 1. City Council meeting records show that the agreement with Chase Equipment Financing was not to exceed $9.6 million to fund the City’s fleet replacement needs in fiscalyear 2011, and $12.6 million in fiscal-year 2012, and that the interest rate will not exceed 6 percent annually. In addition, the mayor must consult with City Council before financing the acquisition of additional vehicles and/or equipment under the agreement.
Fairfax County Addresses $8M Fuel Cost Increase FAIRFAX, VA – Fairfax County (Va.), whose fuel costs are expected to run $8 million higher than budgeted for this year, talked to Government Fleet about some solutions the County is working on to handle rising fuel costs and pay the anticipated budget overrun. The County budgeted $2.37 per gallon based on historical fuel prices, but it was currently paying close to $3.20 at the end of March. Half of the $8 million will be covered by a reserve account. As for the other half, Jim Gorby, then fleet manager for the County, listed solutions the County has been or is currently implementing. Long-term solutions include: • Rightsize vehicles and engines. • Buy hybrids when possible. • Train drivers on fuel-efficient driving habits. • Track vehicles using GPS/GIS. • Keep maintenance up-to-date. • Properly inflate tires. • Use trailers for positioning tools at EIA records show retail gasoline prices jobsites. rose 93 cents nation• Enforce anti-idling policies. wide from January Short-term solutions are: 2010 to March 2011. • Request additional funding. • Reallocate money from one fund to another. • Reduce on-site meetings through teleconferencing. • Minimize weight carried in vehicles. • Optimize route to eliminate multiple trips. • Park vehicles. Gorby said County Board of Supervisors and elected officials are understanding about fuel price increases, as they’ve seen the same price increases fueling their own vehicles. “You have to keep the County running; tasks have to be done, and citizens expect services,” he said.
©ISTOCKPHOTO.COM/KTSIMAGE
The Ford Police Interceptor utility vehicle is equipped with a 3.5L V-6 engine.
San Diego Enters Into Leasing Agreement
May 2011
4/21/11 9:55:41 AM
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PARTS OPERATION: A fleet’s parts inventory is critical to keeping its maintenance and repair process moving forward — and keeping units on the road. Several critical elements to consider are discussed from both the in-house and outsourced perspectives. BY SHELLEY MIKA
T
he mission of a fleet parts room is to provide maintenance and repair of fleet units with the right part at the right price at the right time. However, there are two schools of thought when it comes to parts management. One is that keeping the operation in-house offers control over inventory and the quality of the parts. The other is that outsourcing the operation can keep fleets focused on keeping their units on the road rather than the investment and business of inventory. Regardless of which side you’re on, both the in-house and outsourced perspectives rely on a few critical elements to running a successful parts operation. Here’s a look at how each works, and some of the critical elements that make fleet operations a success.
SNAPSHOT: IN-HOUSE VS. OUTSOURCED Sam Lamerato, CPFP, superintendent of Fleet Maintenance for the City of Troy, Mich., manages his parts operation inhouse using fleet management software. It
AT A GLANCE Fleets should consider the following elements for running parts operations: • Have a reliable software system in place. • Reduce inventory investment. • Remove outdated parts from the shelf. • Keep fast-moving parts on the shelf. • Manage vendors. 14
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works like this: First, minimums and maximums are set for every part in their operation. Then, every morning at 8 a.m., the system generates a reorder report for the City’s two parts rooms, the reorder sheet is faxed to the supplier, and they ship the parts immediately. By 8:30 a.m., all parts below the reorder point are ordered and usually arrive the same day or the following morning. The fleet’s parts are all purchased through warehouse distributors at highly reasonable prices — typically wholesale or well below wholesale. The City chooses distributors by soliciting and reviewing bid sheets from them, then awarding blanket purchase orders for a length of two or three years for successful bidders. “A few of the things we like about keeping parts management in-house include having control of inventory and staff to ensure parts are available to make repairs on our fleet. It also helps with timely replacements of parts and the quality of parts we choose to use on vehicles,” Lamerato said. “We like having control over which manufacturers and suppliers we deal with, as it helps us make sure we get quality parts.” Mike Ellis, fleet services superintendent for the City of Denton, Texas, takes the other perspective, partnering with NAPA Integrated Business Solutions (IBS), an on-site parts store specializing in customized solutions, to manage the City’s parts operation. The City chose to outsource because it relies on a high percentage of on-demand part
availability to efficiently run its operation. Turnaround time is critical, and it found NAPA can provide the parts as needed. Ellis has been outsourcing parts management in some capacity for more than 20 years. The City made the choice for a number of reasons. For one, there are no inventory costs other than taxes, and capital dollars are not tied up on inventory but rather are available for other purposes. Liability is also reduced; the City doesn’t own the inventory, so shrinkage and parts obsolescence are the vendor’s responsibility. “The best thing we have going with our vendor is the close working relationship we have developed with its managers and staff. We work as a team and treat them as part of the fleet family,” Ellis said. “Both sides look at continuous process improvement and are always bouncing ideas back and forth to make the operation more efficient and effective. The impact to the City of Denton on the soft cost alone is $275,000 per year and an additional savings in parts cost of $176,000.” When making the decision of whether to keep parts management in-house or to outsource, Jett Kuntz, national director for NAPA IBS offers this maxim: “When keeping downtime to a minimum and keeping your fleet rolling is a priority, managing a parts room may only be a function of your core business strategy. Parts outsourcing may be an option to help you focus on your core business.”
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IN-HOUSE OR OUTSOURCE? CRITICAL ELEMENTS EVERY PARTS OPERATION SHOULD HAVE Whether outsourcing, keeping inhouse, or debating between which is best, considering the following critical elements can help: Have a system in place — and choose it wisely. From the in-house perspective, having reliable software is key, according to Lamerato. “You have to have excellent parts management software to even think about having a successful parts room,” he said. “The days of pencils and index cards are long gone — especially with multiple locations and long part numbers.” One reason Lamerato chose the fleet management program is because of its detailed parts management module. The system’s capability to track parts, issue valuable tracking reports, and automatically reorder parts replaces the pencil and paper and reduces labor hours. The system also has barcoding capabilities that reduce human error when issuing parts. “Anyone looking to purchase a fleet management program should take a hard look at parts management and asset management, not just fleet management,” Lamerato said. “We depend very heavily on our parts software to make our operation a success. It helps us keep vehicles on the road, parts ordered on a timely basis, and provide timely maintenance and repair.” From the outsourced perspective, finding a partner is a balance between cost and quality. The City of Denton chose its partner through an RFP process, where several key performance criteria were compared with overall costs. “The most important aspect to consider is working with the right people to form a true partnership that facilitates cost-saving
initiatives and efficiencies,” Ellis said. “The key to successful outsourcing is people. I cannot stress enough the importance of finding the right ‘fit’ in terms of personnel, from the manager to the driver. Developing an agreeable contract that meets the needs of both entities is also critical.” With NAPA as its partner, the City of Denton also uses fleet software and NAPA’s TAMS inventory management system — the same system it uses in stores to manage inventory — on site. “It’s a tremendous tool to help fleets run better,” Kuntz said. “We know fleets have invested a lot in their fleet management systems, so we don’t replace that — instead, we integrate with those systems to reduce transaction costs.” Reduce your inventory investment. Fleet budgets are tight enough as is, and parts are expensive. That means it’s not likely a fleet will want a large percentage of its budget tied up in parts that may not be used for months — or at all, for that matter. Reducing the inventory to the parts a fleet will use frequently — the “fast-moving” parts — while having a plan to get other parts when needed is important. “One of the most critical elements of a parts management operation is managing the inventory investment. There is a lot of time and money invested in owning and maintaining parts inventory,” Kuntz said. To tackle the problem, Lamerato relies on software to track parts levels that will balance demand with excess. “We stock a minimum and maximum of parts to keep operations going on a daily basis without being a parts warehouse,” Lamerato said. “We don’t want budgeted money in parts sitting on the shelf, so our system ensures the necessary parts are in stock for both the day and afternoon shifts
without tying up a significant amount of our parts budget on inventory at one time. We don’t want to purchase large quantities just to have parts sit on a shelf and collect dust.” For Ellis, the expense to keep up with the City’s non-vehicle fleet units was simply too significant. “We had difficulty in finding and keeping parts counterpersons who have the experience in light duty, heavy truck, construction, and fire equipment,” he said. “In order to operate a department that services 1,200 units with 14 technicians, the capital outlay for the inventory would be $500,000-$600,000.” With NAPA, Ellis is able to get these parts (NAPA and non-NAPA) on demand, without investing in them up front. Instead, the investment is on NAPA’s part — and Ellis still gets the parts when needed. Kuntz offered the City of Fremont, Calif., as a prime example of just how many dollars can be freed up. “We cleaned up its obsolete inventory and purchased $150,000 of working inventory. By acquiring this inventory, we got [the City] out of the inventory investment business and helped its budget,” he said. “We helped [the City] figure out what fast-moving parts to keep, figure out what was obsolete, bought that inventory, then sold the parts to the City as needed. We also added to its current inventory to make it better and increased fill rates. Now the City doesn’t pay for a part until it is used, and the parts investment is NAPA’s.” Get old parts off the shelf. A big part of reducing inventory investment is getting obsolete parts off the shelf. When parts aren’t being used, they’re tying up money that could be spent on any number of other things. This could happen because a part is for a specialty vehicle, or because a vehicle has been removed from the fleet altogether. Government Fleet
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PA RT S
Either way, the space and the dollars could have a greater purpose than collecting dust. Thankfully, these parts can often be returned to the vendor or manufacturer for credit, but waiting too long could jeopardize the chances of a full refund. Kuntz underscores the need to keep up with ever-changing fleets and the demand it places on inventory budgets. “A fleet changes every year. Oftentimes fleets will have a part on the shelf that doesn’t fit the fleet anymore,” he said. “As vehicles are auctioned off and fleets change, parts stay on the shelf. We eliminate that obsolescence.” Keep fast-moving parts on the shelf. Likewise, the parts a fleet does have on the shelf should be the ones that are getting pulled on a regular basis. Those parts should have established maximum and minimum inventory levels. Having too many means too high of an investment and too few means critical repair and maintenance work isn’t getting done. Identifying which parts the fleet uses most, then finding the sweet spot for how many to keep around establishes the right balance between investment and keeping operations running smoothly. “If inventory is not on the shelf, you have a vehicle in the bay that is out of service until the parts arrive. Keeping inventory current is critical — having shelves stocked with fast-moving parts, not obsolete parts, is key,” Lamerato said. “One of the things that makes our parts management most successful is the auto-reordering with parts delivered on the same day. We have very few open slots on our parts shelf where parts are not available.” Lamerato suggests performing a fleet survey to review the parts needed for fleet units and determine which parts should be stocked. This keeps shelves properly stocked and reduces obsolescence. The fill rate — the percentage of times a part is on the shelf when it’s needed — is also important to track. A fill rate of 50 percent means the part is there only half the time. Being aware of the fast-moving parts the fleet relies on most, then making sure the proper minimums and maximums are in place can increase a fill rate to as high as 95 percent. 16
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The City of Denton, Texas, is able to get parts on demand without investing up front.
These measures can be accomplished through software for those fleets that keep parts management in house. For those with outsourced parts operations, the partner tracks and is responsible for meeting these metrics. For example, Kuntz outlined NAPA’s partnership with the City of Chicago over the last 11 years. “We have 15 IBS stores there, from O’Hare Airport to police garages to maintenance facilities. Overall, we maintain and manage more than $6 million worth of inventory and have more than 75 NAPA personnel who work 24/7, 365 days a year,” he said. “We take a significant inventory investment off them by owning, stocking, and maintaining thousands of NAPA and non-NAPA parts and supplies, and our fill rate is consistently in the 90-percent-plus range. That means we get a part there when they need it, and that increases productivity.” Manage vendors. Ultimately, a successful parts management program relies on vendors. Without someone to supply the parts, there is no parts operation at all. But sometimes working with multiple vendors means increased administrative time in both transactions and paperwork. Outsourcing parts management can mean also outsourcing vendor management. For example, some fleets deal with hundreds of vendors, so NAPA compiles vendor statements at the end of the month. That means a fleet has one parts bill, not hundreds. The other component to managing vendors is ensuring quality. That’s one reason Lamerato prefers to keep parts management in-house. “When it comes to parts inventory, a lot of people look at price. But
The City of Troy, Mich., performs a fleet survey to determine which parts to stock.
you have to be sure you’re buying quality parts,” he said. “For instance, if you buy a low-quality wiper blade and the customer has to come back every three months to get it replaced, it defeats the purpose. You may have saved a dollar on the initial purchase, but a higher quality blade could have saved a lot of money in the long run. It’s not only about the cost of the part but about labor, downtime, and the safety of the public.”
SUCCESSFUL PARTS MANAGEMENT PAYS OFF A fleet’s parts inventory is critical to keeping its maintenance and repair process moving forward — and keeping units on the road. The benefits of taking a close look at a fleet’s parts operation include reducing inventory investment, minimizing down time, and increasing utilization — not to mention reduced frustration on the parts of technicians and drivers. So whether parts management is kept in-house or outsourced, it’s worth it to spend some time making sure a solid strategy is in place. An expanded version of this article is available at www.gfleet.com/magazine. SOURCES • Mike Ellis, fleet services superintendent, City of Denton, Texas. E-mail: mike.ellis@cityofdenton.com • Jett Kuntz, national director, NAPA Integrated Business Solutions. E-mail: jett_kuntz@genpt.com • Sam Lamerato, CPFP, superintendent of Fleet Maintenance, City of Troy, Mich. E-mail: lameratosp@troymi.gov
May 2011
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PLANNING FACILITIES FOR MODERN AND FUTURE USE
When planning a fleet facility, consider site location, prepare it for new or future technologies, and review commonly overlooked issues. BY THI DAO
The City of Davenport, Iowa’s Public Works fleet facility was programmed and designed by Roger Thompson and Jon Wallenkamp.
T
he design of a fleet facility can help or hinder day-to-day fleet operations. Fleet managers looking to build a new facility must take into account various considerations, from the large-scale to the minute. Roger Thompson, president of Effective Management Decisions, works as a special municipal operational planning consultant with many architectural and engineering firms. During his 16-year tenure as a fleet management consultant, Thompson noticed, “People were working in antiquated facilities or facilities designed by [someone who] didn’t understand operations. They designed problems as opposed to correcting problems.” One City asked him to make recommendations to its architect in planning a new fleet facility, and since then, Thompson has worked on the design of more than 80 fleet facilities across the U.S. and Canada.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT LOCATION “Figure out what you’re going to build before you buy a site,” Thompson advised.
AT A GLANCE When designing a fleet facility: • Choose the right location, and make sure the facility fits the land plot. • Determine the number of bays compared with number of technicians. • Plan for possible future technologies such as natural gas, nitrogen tire filling stations, etc. • Decide how much funding fleet should devote to “green” the facility. 18
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He has worked with facilities wherein land is bought for a good price, and the planning takes place before anyone realizes the site is too small. He’s also seen situations with terrible line of sight coming in and out of the site, particularly dangerous for large trucks that take a long time to accelerate and decelerate. The facility should also be centrally located. “Having vehicles and equipment [travel] long distances to get to the core service facility can cause a municipality millions of dollars over time,” he said, especially with the rising price of fuel. Thompson also advised fleets to get other departments in on the project. By seeking insourcing and partnerships with other departments, such as police, student transportation, public works, or airport, fleet services can also ask for assistance in funding facility construction.
IMPLEMENTING NEW FACILITY CONSIDERATIONS When designing a facility, Thompson recommended looking at current operation functions and possible future functions. “People were not taking into account changing technology, and I still see this today,” he said. “Nobody’s thinking about CNG [compressed natural gas] and the building facili-
ties that will have to be altered.” As more and more facilities turn to natural gas for refuse and transit fleets (as well as other vehicles), buildings must be adjusted to be able to handle lighter-thanair gas. To allow room for gas to accumulate in the event of a catastrophic leak, all roof-mounted electrical systems and wirings must be mounted one foot lower than normal to prevent roof blowout. In addition, he recommended blowout panels — in case something happens, individual panels blow out rather than lifting off the entire building roof. Another consideration regarding natural gas use is setting up the natural gas line for a future CNG compressing station, even if plans are not in the near future. “If you’re going to build a new site, why not put it in now rather than a few years along, [when you have to] rip up the site?” Thompson explained. A smaller up-front cost in anticipation of natural gas use will result in large savings later on. He also said to allow space for a compressing station that can compress gas on-site. Match up the number of mechanics to the number of bays. While some may think extra bays allow for expansion, this can cut into operational cost. “Many operations work on an hourly rate, and that hourly rate
May 2011
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FACILIT Y PL ANNING Kueny Architects worked on the planning and design of the City of Davenport, Iowa’s Public Works fleet facility. The 240,000-square-foot facility includes a repair shop, indoor storage for 205 vehicles, and a parts room.
is burdened with the space fleet occupies,” he explained. “If the space is too great, the hourly rate can go up, and it makes them non-competitive to the private sector.”
EXPLORING COMMONLY OVERLOOKED ISSUES Thompson has seen trends in overlooked issues when building a facility. “Nobody’s looking at all the heavy lifting,” he stated as an example. For a facility that houses CNG transit vehicles with components on the roof, he suggested a bridge crane in the shop to allow mechanics easier access, expediting repair and eliminating the need to lift heavy components. Thompson has also seen more nitrogen tire filling stations installed at fleet facilities, used to improve fuel efficiency. Some facilities are installing rotary compressing stations that are open to the public, which allows the municipality to apply for grants. Other common issues are small ones that altogether can make a big impact on fleet operations. A well-designed facility should include: • True-color lighting for mechanics to accurately see color wires. • Floor drains by the overhead door if the facility has direct line access, and down the center in a drive-through configuration. If nearer to the vehicles, the drain may become collectors for dropped bolts and tools. • Replace some grates with steel plates to allow mechanics to roll toolboxes across the floor. • Clearance from the bottom of a bridge crane to the floor of the shop should be a minimum of 26 feet for maximum crane performance. • If considering two bridge cranes, know that building cost will increase, as the structure must be capable of supporting whatever the cranes pick up. From a cost-benefit perspective, one is usually enough. • Go with a premium overhead door. “They’re much more expensive, but it’s 20
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worth it in the long run,” Thompson said, adding that overhead doors get the most bashing. Options include high-speed rollup doors and rubber membrane doors that reduce damage and maintenance. • For comfortable floor heat, consider creating hydronic heat by burning waste oil, supplemented by gas (depending on the amount of waste oil). • For fleets that maintain salt spreader equipment, the reclaim units of vehicle wash systems should be configurable to be turned off to use fresh water. Thompson said when numerous salt trucks come through, the reclaim system may not be able to handle all the salt and will begin spraying the trucks with salt water. Purchase a reclaim system with a manual or automatic discharge valve. • Rainwater harvesting in rainy climates can be used for truck washes as makeup water. Keep things simple by using gravity feed, Thompson suggested.
DETERMINING LEED CERTIFICATION LEVEL There’s good news for fleets looking to construct a LEED-certified facility. (LEED is an internationally recognized green building certification system.) “It’s very difficult to not build a LEED-certified facility anymore because most of the construction materials you buy are sustainable products — right down to the carpeting that you put in the facility,” Thompson said. Other ways to make a building “green” are rainwater harvesting, generating power from the sun, and using natural light. It’s also important to keep in mind that there are higher levels of LEED certification: silver, gold, and platinum. Thompson warned, however, that attempting to get to these levels may require huge costs. “There are a whole host of things you can do to make your facility green, but you don’t want to spend all your money to get to the platinum service,” he said.
Other “green” techniques can lead to more hassles than help, he added. He cited garages with no overhead doors to save on mechanical system operation — the municipality had to build an outer perimeter fence to secure the facility. Some shops with no drains create ponding areas that divert chemicals and water, but if there is a spill, cleanup takes longer.
UPDATING FLEET FACILITIES Fleets without the backing to construct a new facility may get the go-ahead to renovate or update an existing facility. However, Thompson warned, “Renovating facilities can sometimes cost you more money than building a new [facility].” This depends on the age of the facility (some still have asbestos) and what needs to be updated. Thompson, with Architect Michael Hicks from Weston and Sampson Engineering and Architect Jon Wallenkamp from Kueny Architects, who work with Thompson on facility projects, recommended an energy audit of the facility. Nine times out of ten, this will lead to a change to more energy-efficient lighting, such as LED, Thompson said. Wallenkamp said an auditor would do a complete inventory of the systems in place and also run a report showing energy usage levels and code compliance. Wallenkamp also helped produce a building audit form that allows user group input from various employees ranging from maintenance technicians to office workers. Auditors look at mechanical systems to see if carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide sensing systems are in place. Other steps include bringing the building up to OSHA code and looking at lubrication distribution systems. An auditor would study the building structure as well. “If you’re doing renovations, you should know if it’s structurally going to work,” Wallenkamp said. “If it’s not cost-effective to renovate your facility, your cheaper option [may be] to build a new facility,” Thompson and the architects stated. SOURCES: • Roger Thompson, president, Effective Management Decisions. E-mail: rthompsonemd@new.rr.com • Jon Wallenkamp, architect, Kueny Architects, LLC. E-mail: jonw@kuenyarch.com • Michael Hicks, architect, Weston and Sampson Engineering. E-mail: hicksm@wseinc.com
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May 2011
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14 COMPETE FOR
2011FLEET PUBLIC SECTOR MANAGER OF THE YEAR The 2011 award, sponsored by ARI and Fleet Counselor Services, recognizes the best in public sector fleet management and will be presented at the Government Fleet Expo & Conference in San Diego. BY LAUREN FLETCHER
D. TERRY BARTON JR. State Fleet Administrator State of Delaware On-Road Units: 1,947 Off-Road Units: 7 Maintenance Facilities: 0 Fleet Budget: $13M No. of Years Nominated: 1
LARRY CAMPBELL, CPFP Director, Fleet Management City of Fort Wayne, Ind. On-Road Units: 1,053 Off-Road Units: 721 Maintenance Facilities: 2 Fleet Budget: $7.15M No. of Years Nominated: 5
PAUL CONDRAN Equipment Maintenance/ Fleet Manager City of Culver City, Calif. On-Road Units: 635 Off-Road Units: 25 Maintenance Facilities: 1 Fleet Budget: $8M No. of Years Nominated: 7
WAYNE CORUM Director of Equipment Services City of Fort Worth, Texas On-Road Units: 3,071 Off-Road Units: 364 Maintenance Facilities: 3 Fleet Budget: $24M No. of Years Nominated: 1 22
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Best Memory: In 1994, after reengineering the way the State fleet was operated, the State purchased 450 new sedans. To announce the change, a media event was planned for the Governor. Fleet arranged some new vehicles for a photo opportunity, but the units being replaced were parked nearby. The Governor spotted a beat-up, bright orange American Motors Corp. Gremlin and suggested we set it beside the new vehicles to show the dramatic change. At the urging of the press, he decided to take the Gremlin for a spin. The sight of the Governor driving around the parking lot in this vehicle was priceless, and it even made the evening television news. Best Memory: I would say this is a hard question because of so many memories from the great people I have met along my journey as a fleet person — from those who have helped in your fleet growth to those you have nurtured and watched grow and excel as a fleet manager, including staff members. The awards along the way make it very special, such as being named the 2006 No. 1 fleet in the “100 Best Fleets” program, to being named as one of the top three finalists in the 2010 Public Sector Fleet Manager of the Year award, and the many other awards. Receiving the APWA fleet certificate (CPFP) is another. Most of all, it’s the people I have met and worked with over the past 35 years. Best Memory: My best memories include cultivating and watching my employee teams flourish into an industry-leading organization where they receive deserved recognition and accolades from “their” peers and elected officials; being named as the 7th Best Fleet in North America in 2010; serving as a judge for the 2010 Best Green Fleet Award — an honor and a major (personally unknown, hidden, and unexpected) career accomplishment/highlight for me; and collaborating with my constituents from all over the country. The exposure this presents from learning and collaborating from/with the best is a staggering opportunity and one that also fosters professional friendships and tremendous resources. Best Memory: My best memory in fleet was announcing to fleet staff that the department had been retained for fleet services in the City of Fort Worth, Texas for 2011. The appreciation by fleet employees for the effort taken to maintain fleet services was an emotional moment. The department struggled through the challenging environment; nevertheless, staff came together to provide excellent performance, adapt to the new organization structure, and retain the support of City management in the performance of fleet services. Also, during this challenging environment, we were able to complete the national fuel contract.
May 2011
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DAVID HEAD Fleet Manager County of Sonoma, Calif. On-Road Units: 1,157 Off-Road Units: 196 Maintenance Facilities: 3 Fleet Budget: $6.5M No. of Years Nominated: 1
LESLIE HORIKAWA Fleet Manager City of Long Beach, Calif. On-Road Units: 1,946 Off-Road Units: 43 Maintenance Facilities: 6 Fleet Budget: $43.2M No. of Years Nominated: 1
SAMUEL LAMERATO, CPFP Superintendent of Fleet Maintenance City of Troy, Mich. On-Road Units: 350 Off-Road Units: 150 Maintenance Facilities: 2 Fleet Budget: $7M No. of Years Nominated: 1
RICK LONGOBART Facilities, Fleet & Central Stores Manager City of Santa Ana, Calif. On-Road Units: 700 Off-Road Units: 200 Maintenance Facilities: 1 Fleet Budget: $11.5M No. of Years Nominated: 6
GARY LYKINS Fleet Maintenance Director Town of Jonesborough, Tenn. On-Road Units: 117 Off-Road Units: 48 Maintenance Facilities: 1 Fleet Budget: $525,000 No. of Years Nominated: 3
Best Memory: When I came to the County of Sonoma, Calif., the fleet was old and underused, there was no PM program, staff was untrained, and customer departments didn’t trust our work. Over the next 20 years, the County implemented a fleet management software system, upgraded its vehicles, established PM programs, upgraded maintenance facilities, replaced technicians and endorsed or required ASE certifications, and focused on customer service. Currently, six outside agencies contract with the County for vehicle maintenance. Three years ago, the director of General Services retired. When he left, he told me he brags to his peers about our operations and that he considers our Division among the best in the state.
Best Memory: One memory at the top of the “best memories list” would be the group interactions with the employees. I met with all employee groups several times during the past year to discuss methods and means to reduce costs and increase efficiencies. Every fleet employee was involved in this process. All ideas were recorded and reviewed. Those ideas that were feasible were implemented or a pilot program was started to determine continued feasibility. All ideas that were implemented were shared with the employees and recognition was given. Being able to give the employees that recognition is my best memory.
Best Memory: I remember walking into the City garage as a co-op mechanic 38 years ago, looking around at the variety of equipment there, thinking I was in over my head. A lot of the equipment I had little experience operating, let alone repairing. With dedication and hard work, I gained experience, listened to the older, more knowledgeable shop foremen, and honed my repair and operating skills. Who knew eight years later I would be the superintendent of the motor pool (later known as fleet). Every time I sit in on an interview for a new technician, I can’t help but wonder if the new hire, with determination and dedication, will take over the reins in the future and continue to move the fleet division forward, continuing to earn recognition and respect.
Best Memory: After reviewing our weekly GPS reports, we noticed one of our City vehicles was driven 81 mph outside of city limits. Naturally, our first reaction was to call the division that operated the vehicle to warn them about the situation, which they took very seriously and stated that they would take corrective action. Days later, the division informed us the vehicle operator did not recall using it that day and that according to the GPS report, the unit was in our shop for service at that time — which proved true. Turns out one of our own fleet team members had used the vehicle that day to deliver a contract to a vendor. We explained to the customer that we determined the driver and were counseling that individual, which turned out to be ourselves.
Best Memory: An early winter in 2010 brought unusual snow patterns to our little southern town. Being almost 1,700 feet above sea level, we get our share of snow, but this year was relentless. As crews worked through the night and snow removal equipment ground away at old man winter’s mayhem, I was comforted by the professionalism of the fleet management team. The relationship of the operators and the technicians during this snow emergency was that of true friendship and respect. Several comments were made in the local papers and at the Board of Mayor and Aldermen meeting about how the Town of Jonesborough, Tenn. kept pace with much larger municipalities in the area during the harsh weather. I knew it was fleet management that kept things running. Government Fleet
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NOMINEES THOMAS MONARCO Fleet Manager City of Colorado Springs, Colo. On-Road Units: 3,087 Off-Road Units: 491 Maintenance Facilities: 9 Fleet Budget: $19.6M No. of Years Nominated: 1
Best Memory: Our largest customer hired a consultant group to evaluate our services to determine if fleet was meeting the customer’s needs. The consultants’ exhaustive study found the customer was indeed receiving excellent services for very low cost. It also determined fleet was understaffed by nearly 20 percent and was one of the most efficient operations it had evaluated. The City recently underwent dramatic budget reductions, resulting in a 14-percent reduction in staff with little or no reduction in responsibilities. Four technicians in particular were impacted the most, and just recently, they received upgrades. It has been great to give them the news and hear them express gratitude as they were recognized for their hard work.
BOB MOSSING Fleet Manager/Business Operations Manager Washtenaw County Gov., Mich. On-Road Units: 217 Off-Road Units: 0 Maintenance Facilities: 0 Fleet Budget: $2.5M No. of Years Nominated: 1
Best Memory: My best memory of fleet is being nominated for public sector fleet manager of the year. I have made a commitment to public service and to be fiscally responsible with taxpayer money. It is nice to be recognized for doing my job.
BOB MOULDEN Fleet Superintendent City of Manteca, Calif. On-Road Units: 330 Off-Road Units: 110 Maintenance Facilities: 1 Fleet Budget: $1.04M No. of Years Nominated: 1
ERLE POTTER, PE, CEM State Equipment Manager Virginia Dept. of Transportation (VDOT) On-Road Units: 6,500 Off-Road Units: 22,697 Maintenance Facilities: 37 Fleet Budget: $87M No. of Years Nominated: 1
STEVE RILEY Automotive Director City of Coral Gables, Fla. On-Road Units: 539 Off-Road Units: 35 Maintenance Facilities: 2 Fleet Budget: $7.1M No. of Years Nominated: 1 24
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Best Memory: The City Council approval of a new Fleet Services facility. This will move my heavy-duty mechanics out of the elements and inside to repair equipment and solid waste construction vehicles. We are looking forward to March 2012 when we will move out of our 92-year-old, 7,000-square-foot building and into the new 20,000-square-foot building.
Best Memory: I am proudest of those opportunities where we are able to recognize the selfless efforts of our technicians and their front-line supervisors during the annual “Equipment Management Workshop.” The workshop includes an “awards ceremony” banquet, where awards are presented to exemplary technicians, for certifications, and ASE Blue Seal shops. Each recipient was photographed shaking hands with the VDOT Commissioner. The Commissioner gave a touching talk about the value of the awards and thanked the recipients for their hard work The look in the eyes of the always over-worked, often unappreciated pros said it all. Employees were rejuvenated, remotivated, and profoundly appreciative that someone actually cared.
Best Memory: My best memory in fleet is when I stood on stage at the 2010 GFX Conference in Austin, Texas, as the chief judge for the 100 Best Fleets. Congratulating the winners and looking at the smiles on their faces meant a lot to me. It was nice to see the troops who work in the trenches get recognized for their important contributions. For far too long, fleet managers have been stigmatized as the proverbial shade-tree mechanic. It has only been over the past few years that public fleet management was acknowledged as a valued profession, and recognition programs are a critical part of that process. As long as I remain in fleet management, I will do everything I can to advance the perception and dignity of our profession.
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ARI Strategic Consulting Team With exceptional insight into our partner’s vehicle usage, we helped this fleet support a corporate initiative. L-R: Tracy King, Fleet Administrator; Joe Korn, Business Analyst; Elisa Durand, Assistant Manager, Environmental and Fuel Strategies
Partners at Work
For this education publisher, big, gas-guzzling vans are old school. When a long-time partner in education publishing made it a company-wide priority to reduce its carbon footprint, it turned to ARI for a custom fleet solution. Noting that education is evolving away from bulky hardcover textbooks in favor of DVDs and eLearning modules, ARI’s Strategic Consulting team suggested suitable alternative vehicles as well as stricter driver policies to lessen fuel consumption and reduce emissions. Average MPG improvements translated into $200,000 in fuel savings and a 581-ton reduction in CO2 emissions. Some might call it “writing the book on green fleets.” We call it, “partners at work.”
Read the full story and more at:
Driven Fleet Professionals. Driving Results.
www.arifleet.com/partnersatwork
ARI is the proud sponsor of the 2011 Public Sector Fleet Manager of the Year. Be sure to visit us during GFX at booth 415.
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OIL INITIATIVES GOVERNMENT FLEETS SHOULD CONSIDER
Conducting periodic oil analysis, using re-refined or recycled oil, and revisiting oil filter usage will lessen an operation’s impact on the environment, extend maintenance cycles, and reduce reliance on foreign oil. BY CHERYL KNIGHT
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aximizing oil life and quality not only offers fleets potential cost savings, but also helps lower an operation’s environmental footprint. From using recycled or re-refined oil, to conducting oil analyses, to using innovative oil filters, all fleets should revisit their oil initiatives at least annually. Government Fleet magazine recently talked with a few industry experts about why it’s time for fleet operations to revisit their oil programs.
AT A GLANCE Benefits of using re-refined and recycled oil include: • Preventing waste. • Lowering environmental impact. • Extending maintenance cycles. • Reducing reliance on foreign oil. 26
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RECYCLED VS. RE-REFINED OIL: WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?
It takes one gallon of used motor oil to create up to 3 quarts of re-refined oil, Recycled oil is reusing oil for various according to some companies. And if all uses including re-refining and burning, motor oil in the United States was rewhile re-refined oil is using the oil as a refined, there would be enough re-refined lubricant. oil to maintain about 8 million vehicles The benefits of using re-refined oil go per year. far beyond engine lubrication. Because Hector Barragan, Smart Oil sales cocrude oil is a nonrenewable resource, us- ordinator of Rosemead Oil, focuses on the ing renewed oil prevents waste, reduces company’s marketing and sales efforts environmental impact, extends main- and is an expert on the merits of using retenance cycles, saves time and cycled and re-refined oil, as well money, and reduces reliance on as oil analysis. The Santa Fe Springs, Calif.-based company, foreign oil, according to advowhich was established in 1952, cates. has marketed re-refined oil for While re-refined oil has gone more than 25 years and operates through the refining process a with a total tank storage capacsecond time and can be used as ity of 400,000 gallons. vehicle motor oil again, used According to Barragan, now dirty oil can no longer perform BARRAGAN is the perfect time to stop drillits original lubrication job.
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According to Joseph Shupe, president of CAP Oil Change Systems, the company has designed oil dispensers to reduce the time it takes to change engine oil and also help keep oils clean and safe.
ing oil and instead use renewable oil. “By doing this, operations can cut their carbon footprint by 50 percent,” he said, noting that re-refined oils are less expensive. Rosemead Oil currently works with fleets in California in an effort to get them certified as a green fleet with the state. The company also provides oil analysis services. Barragan said his company is currently working with cities to help them transition to using renewable oil. “The cities are the ones that are out there, the most visible,” he said. “Why not start with them, help them, and then have them help educate others on renewable oil?” According to Barragan, a potential partnership is in the works with Cerritos College, which operates a mechanics program. Rosemead Oil is working out details to give the college free renewable oil and education on the oil so that graduates from the mechanics program can then move into a position with knowledge of renewable oils. While most fleets want to be green or help out the environment, many don’t do
that through their current oil initiatives, and they don’t know the next step to take to get there, according to Barragan. “We find that no one really knows what the next step is,” he said. “We’re really in the stage of education about recycled and re-refined oil right now.” One way of educating fleets is to offer renewable oil samples and analysis. Barragan said that once management sees the positive results, they’re usually ready to move forward. The biggest challenge surrounding the re-refined versus traditional oil debate is mindset. “Some managers think re-refined oil is going to be bad for their engines, but we stand behind the product 110 percent,” Barragan said.
THE TIME HAS COME FOR GREEN OIL ALTERNATIVES According to Curt Knapp, vice president – Oil Re-refining Sales and Marketing for Safety-Kleen Systems, Inc., there is a big difference between “recycled” and
“re-refined” oil. “Recycled oil includes recovery of oil and reusing it for any value, including re-refining and burning it as a fuel (the two main uses),” he said. “Re-refining is refining the used oil again to reuse as a lubricant.” Knapp pointed out that re-refined oil can provide superior performance and protection for valuable assets. In fact, after an independent firm conducted field engine tests pitting two top-selling brands against Safety-Kleen’s new rerefined product EcoPower, the re-refined oil proved either as good or better on all key measures, Knapp said. “Recycling/re-refining conserves valuable, non-renewable resources; it takes far less energy to re-refine the lubricant from used oil compared to crude, and when you reuse motor oil instead of burning it for a onetime energy use, there is substantial reduction in greenhouse gases associated with those used KNAPP Government Fleet
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O IL INI T I AT I V ES
Rosemead Oil’s Smart Oil Lubricants are made with top quality renewed base oils and additives to provide equal or superior finished oil products. These oils are equal or superior than finished products made from crude oil just extracted from the ground, according to the company.
oil gallons,” Knapp said. Since most fleets are looking to reduce the impact their fleets have on the environment, using re-refined oil is a nobrainer, he added. Safety-Kleen has supplied highquality engine oils to the U.S. military; other federal, state, and municipal agency fleets; and many transit authority fleets for two decades. The company’s re-refined oils have been used in vehicles under some of the most demanding conditions imaginable, and there has never been an oil-related failure, Knapp said. “The time has finally come for a highquality, truly green alternative in the engine oil category,” he said.
help in conserving a nonrenewable resource,” Shupe said. “By being proactive and instituting measures to handle waste oil properly, we can ensure a healthier planet in the years to come.” Oil change and fluid handling systems have come a long way, thanks to quickly advancing technology. According to Shupe, his company’s system has directly saved fleets time and money by reducing the time it takes to change engine oil. “Our equipment extracts the used oil in a fraction of the time when compared to conventional oil changes,” he said. “And no oil ever leaves the system to contaminate the environment, which keeps personnel safe.” This type of oil change not only helps PORTABLE OIL CHANGE fleets maintain their green standing, but it SYSTEMS & FILTRATION keeps oils clean and safe. SYSTEMS OFFER ADVANTAGES The use of innovative oil filters and Operating on-site oil change machines filtration systems should also be a part can also enable fleets to save time, lower of any fleet program, according to Kevin costs, and meet sustainability require- Kroger, president and COO of Puradyn ments. And according to Joseph Shupe, Filter Technologies Inc. president of CAP Oil Change Systems, “The key factor is safely extending oil protecting the environment while intervals,” Kroger said. “If done maintaining fleet maintenance safely, fleets can extend both oil efficiency is easier than ever with and engine life.” today’s advanced technology. The company’s puraDYN “We believe in utilizing modBypass Oil Filtration System ern methods that will help fleets continuously filters lubricating maximize the time between oil oil by reducing solid contamichanges and keep maintenance nants to less than one micron, as costs as low as possible and fleets well as removing liquid contamKROGER running efficiently, which will inants. This helps maintain the 28
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oil’s viscosity and dramatically extends oil drain intervals. “Our system helps to alleviate the amount of waste oil generated in fleets,” Kroger said. For those fleets looking to safely extend oil drain interval, Kroger advises that they address keeping solid containments to a minimum; remove any water or gaseous contamination from oil; and replenish base additives in oil, which maintains the oil’s chemical balance and provides viscosity enhancement. “We can reduce our oil dependency significantly if people are willing to look for alternative solutions,” Kroger said.
JUST HOW GOOD IS THE OIL? PurePower Incorporated’s Kelly Tidwell, vice president and co-founder, also stressed the importance of using proper oil filters and running an oil analysis program. Tidwell manages the company’s product development. “Everyone should be operating with some sort of oil analysis program if they want to save time and money,” he said. “You won’t know what’s going on in the engine unless you do. After conducting an oil analysis, you’d be amazed at how bad the oil actually is at 5,000 miles. And then if you’re trying to hit 12,000 miles under bad conditions, engine damage might occur.” Tidwell pointed out that a simple $30 oil sample analysis could save a fleet
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other load of oil,” he advised. “It only takes a few minutes to do a sample test that includes a full metal spectrum test and a total base number and total acid number. This is the only way to find out how good the oil really is.” PurePower offers cleanable oil and fuel filters for fleets that are serious about going green. Government fleets using the filters have reported 10 million troublefree miles, according to the company. Filter benefits cited include direct replacement, improved horsepower, extended oil drain intervals, cooler operating temperatures, and improved particle removal (up to 90 percent). Kelly Tidwell of PurePower Incorporated discussed the benefits of the company’s reusable filter during a Municipal Equipment Maintenance Association (MEMA) meeting.
thousands of dollars later. In fact, PurePower currently works with more than a dozen city fleets on oil analysis, which always results in both time and cost savings
to the cities, he said. The bottom line on oil usage, according to Tidwell: knowing what’s in the oil. “I would do an oil analysis for every
SOURCES • Hector Barragan, Smart Oil sales coordinator, Rosemead Oil. Website: www.rosemeadoil.com • Curt Knapp, vice president – Oil Re-refining Sales and Marketing, Safety Kleen Systems. Website: www.safety-kleen.com • Kevin Kroger, president and COO, Puradyn Filter Technologies. Website: www.puradyn.com • Joseph Shupe, president, CAP Oil Change Systems. Website: www.oilchangesystems.com • Kelly Tidwell, VP and co-founder, PurePower Inc. Website: www.gopurepower.com
INVERS Mobility Solutions • 604.742.1145 • 866.308.0091
Government Fleet
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GFX 2011
TO FOCUS ON FLEET EFFICIENCY
Educational presentations, brainstorming sessions, and networking events provide fleet managers the opportunity to learn from industry professionals ways to improve fleet efficiency.
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he Government Fleet Expo & Conference (GFX) brings together public sector fleet managers for education and discussion on current topics most important to the industry. Presented by Government Fleet magazine, this year’s conference will take place at the San Diego Convention Center June 6-8. From fuel strategies to technology and rightsizing, fleet managers can take advantage of 19 results-oriented educational sessions targeted to the challenges of public sector fleet management. In addition, six pre- and post-show workshops can help provide ideas to improve fleet efficiency. During a vehicle manufacturer panel, automakers will address short- and longterm plans for traditional and alternativefuel vehicles used by public fleets. In addition to an inspirational keynote presentation by all-star pitcher Dave Dravecky, Denton Cinquegrana from OPIS will give a keynote presentation on the state of the fuel market, including what causes volatility, a prediction for the near term, and methods to shield fleet from price fluctuations.
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At a networking power session moderated by Mike Antich, editor and associate publisher of GF, fleet managers and suppliers will break out into groups to discuss the biggest challenges the fleet industry faces. Each group will brainstorm ways to overcome these challenges and present their best ideas. By utilizing collective thinking, fleet managers can share successful methods and best practices with their peers. More than 525 fleet professionals attended the 2010 GFX in Austin, Texas. “After listening to many of the presentations, it reinforced many of the things that we are doing right with our fleet, and I came away with some new ideas to explore and possibly implement to become even better,” said Paul Hanson, director of State Fleet Services, North Dakota Department of Transportation, of the 2010 conference. Networking opportunities abound, both at the convention center and during three nights out at San Diego’s famous Gaslamp District. “You get the opportunity to network in a different backdrop than you would normally,” said Thi Dao, associate
TAKE-HOME BENEFITS OF GFX
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onference attendees will each receive a flash drive of valuable information to take home and implement in their fleet operations. Documents include: • Business plans. • Bid and job specifications. • Requests for Proposal (RFPs). • Policy and procedure manuals. • Advanced Excel spreadsheets with time-saving formulas. • GF’s industry benchmarking study to be unveiled at the show.
editor of GF. “As always, GFX provided a forum to network with some of the greatest minds in fleet management,” David Renschler, vehicle maintenance manager, City of Fairfield, Calif., said after the 2010 conference. “GFX allows me to learn new, different, and better ways to keep the wheels rolling in our fleet in the most efficient manner.” Visit www.governmentfleetexpo.com for more information.
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Navigate Your Fleet to Excellence
June 6-8, 2011
San Diego Convention Center San Diego, CA
Improve Your Fleet Efficiency Keep Reading! Lead Media Sponsor: p
GOVERNMENT FLEET
MANAGING PUBLIC SECTOR VEHICLES AND EQUIPMENT
WWW.GFLEET.COM
Produced by Bobit Business Media
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SSan Diego Convention Center • San Diego, CA The GFX Full Conference Pass is the Wisest Investment You’ll Make All Year. YOU’LL GET ACTIONABLE PLANS IN EVERY SESSION TO RUN YOUR FLEET MORE EFFICIENTLY AND IMPROVE YOUR TRACK RECORD. TRAINING HIGHLIGHTS T ▶ 19 Results-Oriented Educational Sessions to Choose From! ▶ 4 Pre-Show and 2 Post-Show Bonus Workshops V VALUABLE BONUSES! ▶ ▶ ▶ ▶ ▶
cs Flash Drive containing real business plans, bid specs, RFP’s, job specs, policies, budgets and advanced excel spreadsheets – over100 items included! Government Fleet Magazine’s Industry Benchmarking Study valued at over $1,000 Free one-on-one advice from consultants in the Exhibit Hall Solutions Center 2 Breakfasts, 2 Lunches and Hosted Receptions – maximize your per diem allowance! Certificate of Completion
BEYOND NETWORKING - GFX PROVIDES AN B E EXCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENT TO…
CONNECT with fleet managers from all levels of the public sector ENGAGE in peer to peer idea sharing MEET suppliers of products and services in the exhibit hall
Come to the
Breakfast & Awards Ceremony to honor winners of: Government Fleet Magazine’s Public Sector Fleet Manager of the Year! 100 Best Fleets Awards!
BREAKFAST AND OPENING KEYNOTE SPEAKER
All Star Pitcher
Dave Dravecky “The Worth of A Man”
Tuesday, June 7th at 8:30am Sponsored by
Register Today and Imp r Visit www.GovFleetExpo.com or call 8 GF0511gfx_6pg.indd GF05_GFX.indd 32 2
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5 1 ▶ 2 ▶ 3 ▶ 4 ▶ 5 ▶
Cases to Secure Budget Approval to Attend
TAKE-HOME VALUE, GUARANTEED: You will leave every session of GFX 2011 with actionable plans, procedures and templates you can utilize immediately.
RESULTS-ORIENTED WORKSHOPS: Get practical advice from real fleet managers in our top-notch educational program. Earn Certificate of Completion.
NETWORKING: Connect in our exclusive environment with other public sector fleet managers at the municipal, state and federal levels.
INFORMATION ON BEST PRACTICES: At GFX 2011, you’ll be updated on the best practices for running an efficient fleet operation and the latest technologies to help you succeed.
EXCLUSIVE ACCESS TO AN INDUSTRY BENCHMARKING STUDY: Be the first to receive Government Fleet Magazine’s Industry Benchmarking Study valued at $1,000.
Still need help obtaining budget approval to attend? Visit www.GovFleetExpo.com for a Request for Approval Letter you can cut and paste and send to your supervisor, or for more ideas to help state your case.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Denton Cinquegrana Senior Markets Editor, OPIS
State of the Fuel Market
Wednesday, June 8th at 10:00am-11:00am
p rove Your Track Record! l 800-576-8788 for more information. 4/18/11 11:19:45 AM
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SCHEDULE OF EVENTS S
MONDAY JUNE 6 6, 2 2011 011 10:00AM - 12:00PM Best Practices from the 100 Best Fleets: Leading the Way This meeting is designed as a unique highly interactive discussion of the best business practices and new, original ideas from the applications of the 100 Best Fleets for 2011. The leading thinkers in the industry and the very best-ofthe-best fleet managers in the country will be participating in exploring solutions to key challenges in 2011. The roundtable will be led by the fleet manager judges of the contest. This session will include a live worldwide vehicle auction for you to benchmark your current disposal methods. One fleet realized a 400% ROI. This one session could make your whole conference worthwhile.
Technology Forum: 1:00PM - 1:55PM Right Sizing Your Fleet Using Motor Pool Management Technology Motor pools can be truly useful, enabling a department or division to provide workers access to vehicles for business purposes without providing a vehicle for each specific worker. In this session you will learn about how motor pool technology can help right size your fleet to best suit the needs of your business.
2:00PM - 2:50PM The Future of Fleet Management: A Telematics Technology Forecast See real time examples of how this technology can be used to improve efficiency, enhance customer communications, maximize productivity and even save fuel. Tips and tricks related to the selection of the right system will be covered as well.
3:00PM - 3:45PM Accident Reduction Technologies, Strategies and Solutions This session will discuss the various technologies and strategies that can enable accident reduction within your fleet. Accident reduction can lower insurance claims and improve driver safety, which enhances the safety and performance of the fleet.
3:00PM - 7:00PM Registration Open Sponsored by:
GFX Officially Begins 4:00PM - 4:15PM Welcome to GFX 4:15PM - 5:30PM Vehicle Manufacturer Panel: A Vehicle Forecast for Public Fleets This panel will address the vehicle manufacturers’ shortterm and long-term plans for traditional and alternative fuel vehicles used by public fleets.
5:30PM - 7:00PM Opening Networking Reception– Convention Center West Terrace 7:00PM - 8:00PM Networking Night on the Town TUESDAY JUNE 7, 2011 8:00AM - 7:30PM Registration Open Sponsored by:
8:30AM - 10:00AM Breakfast and Opening Keynote “The Worth of a Man” In keeping with the theme of this year’s event, Chart Your Course, Navigate Your Fleet to Excellence, keynote speaker Dave Dravecky will inspire you to continue moving forward even when facing what may seem like insurmountable odds. In The Worth of a Man presentation, Dave Dravecky chronicles and shares his life story. From his days in Little League as a boy with a dream to become a Major League ballplayer to seeing that dream come true when he was called up to the Major Leagues with the San Diego Padres, Dave faced one obstacle after another, but he never quit. Even when he faced a careerending tumor in his pitching arm, he kept coming back. Keynote Sponsored by:
10:00AM - 10:15AM Networking Break 10:15AM - 11:15AM Concurrent Sessions Sponsored by:
10 Fleet “Game Changers” You Can Take on in the Next 12 Months This session will briefly outline 10 initiatives a government fleet can undertake that can directly improve their credibility, fuel conservation efforts, shop productivity, cost control, and sustainability. Attendees will receive examples and templates which can be used to facilitate implementation.
Implications of Managing an Aging Fleet With this session you will gain information on developing a “Replacement Standard”, how to implement it fleet-wide and determine which fleet assets require replacement before others. An aging fleet is not a reason for escalating costs, it is incumbent upon the fleet manager to explore and refine processes within the fleet organization to contain costs. This session will explore the “we can” attitude of effecting change in your business and reducing costs, even with an aging fleet.
Creating Hybrid Balanced Scorecard/ Process Improvement Program In this session you will learn how The Fleet Services Division (FSD) of the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County (Illinois) created and implemented a Balanced Scorecard (BSC) for Fleet Services. With only two clerical support employees, they streamlined and simplified the
Jun
(Subject To Change)
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program so that even small to midsized fleets would be able to implement similar programs.
11:15AM - 11:30AM Networking Break Sponsored by:
11:30AM - 12:30PM Concurrent Sessions How to Attract and Retain the Best Personnel In a tight job market, the first line of defense is to retain staff, ideally by offering competitive wages and benefits. However, the reality is that government wages are deeply structured, difficult to adjust, and not competitive with the private sector. With this session you will learn strategies to first attract the best staff for your fleet and then the best ways to keep them motivated and invested in your business.
Microsoft Excel for Public Fleet Managers Managing any fleet of vehicles is a complex and stressful job. The larger the fleet, the more valuable the cargo, or the more critical the fleet to business operations, the more stressful the management task will be. If you manage a fleet of vehicles of any size, this session will discuss how Excel can work for you and make your job easier.
Carbon Footprint: Myths and Facts In this session you will learn what carbon footprints are, the best methods for calculating these measurements and what carbon is not. Further, it will delve into how fleet managers can move their fleets to a carbon-reduced operation.
12:30PM - 3:00PM Lunch and Exhibits (Lunch served 12:30pm - 2:00pm) 3:00PM - 4:30PM General Session: Fleet Challenges and Solutions: Networking Power Session This is one of the most fun and anticipated sessions at the show. You will work together in a casual environment to develop solutions to specific challenges you face. Sit back, enjoy a drink and brainstorm ideas with other fleet managers and suppliers. Come prepared to hear great ideas from others and share your best practices. (Beer, Sodas, Water and Snacks Provided)
4:35PM - 5:30PM Concurrent Sessions Public Sector Fleet Management in the New Economy The economic landscape has changed significantly over the last few years within public sector fleets. Fleet managers are expected to do much more with less manpower, funding and assets. How they respond will set the tone as to how fleet operations are positioned for years to come. Now is not the time to roll over, but to lead from the front. Not acting will lead to the un-doing and outsourcing of the fleet. The greatest strength of fleet managers as they forge ahead will be their subject matter expertise.
Register Today and Imp r Visit www.GovFleetExpo.com or call 8
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June 6-8, 2011
San Diego Convention Center • San Diego, CA How to be Recognized as the Fleet Expert in Your Operation
An Electric Combination: Public Fleets and Electric Vehicles
Innovative Solutionss for Fleet Parts Operations ti
Fleet managers who are seen as THE expert are able to cut through red tape, be more effective and move forward with their vision for the fleet operation. This session will help guide you in developing the skills needed to become that expert while being able to promote yourself successfully. Learn how to market yourself and elevate your influence on the decisionmaking process.
This session will explore the benefits of electric vehicles (EVs) over their internal combustion engine counterparts, options and processes for securing funding, project challenges and solution approaches, important learnings and best practices to date. EVs provide a landmark opportunity for government agency fleets to lower operating costs, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and insulate themselves from oil price spikes.
With this session you will gain insight in to the newest innovative ideas in fleet parts operations. Chief among them will be a discussion of outsourcing parts operations to save costs with no onsite staff needed. With hundreds of thousands of dollars in potential savings on the line, you can’t miss this chance to improve your business model.
10 Innovative Solutions in 55 Minutes
A Step by Step Guide to Developing Your Shop Rates
Join this fast-paced session and learn about the latest solutions that need to be on your radar. From fuel savings to time savings, these technologies can benefit you immediately.
5:30PM - 7:30PM Networking Reception and Exhibits 7:30PM - 9:00PM Networking Night on the Town WEDNESDAY JUNE 8, 2011
Is your budget being questioned, are your operating costs competitive? Are your technicians’ billable hours competitive? What are your department costs? What percent of your budget is used for salaries, fuel, parts and accidents? Should you provide an end of year cost report to your customers? We will cover every aspect of your budget costs and bench mark standards.
2:30PM - 2:45PM Networking Break Sponsored by:
8:30AM - 2:00PM Registration Open
2:45PM - 3:45PM Concurrent Sessions Advanced Fleet Utilization
9:00AM - 10:00AM Breakfast and Awards Ceremony • Government Fleet Magazine’s Public Sector Fleet Manager of the Year • 100 Best Fleets Awards
This session will go over the crucial aspects of advanced fleet utilization. It will discuss fleet’s conflicting roles, the best ways to measure fleet utilization and how to establish standards. You will also learn strategies for dealing with underutilization and the best ways to set goals for your fleet along with many more tips and strategies when implementing fleet utilization.
Sponsored by:
10:00AM - 11:00AM Keynote Presentation: State of the Fuel Market
Fuel markets are as volatile as ever, but with this presentation you will learn what is behind that volatility and if it will ever loosen up. Hear an evaluation of where fuel prices are going in the near term and learn ways to shield yourself from violent price fluctuations. Keynote Speaker: Denton Cinquegrana, OPIS
11:00AM - 1:30PM Lunch and Exhibits (Lunch served 12:00pm- 1:30pm) 1:30PM - 2:30PM Concurrent Sessions How to Develop an Insourcing Program as a Revenue Stream Insourcing agreements generate outside revenue and maximize the use of your facility and staffing. These agreements aren’t for everybody. This presentation will cover the dos and don’ts of insourcing, developing an agreement, how to attract clients, budget and staffing needs and recognition for your department.
A Safety Self-Analysis: How Safe is Your Shop? As an employer, you have a duty to protect your workers from injury and illness on the job. Protecting workers also makes good business sense: accidents and injuries are more expensive than many realize. A worksite analysis means that you and your employees analyze all worksite conditions to identify and eliminate existing or potential hazards. In this session, you will be given the tools to analyze your own shop.
3:45PM - 4:00PM Networking Break Sponsored by:
4:00PM - 5:00PM Concurrent Sessions Fleet Audits: What Auditors are Looking For Learn the ways of preventing and surviving an audit of your fleet operations. Fleet maintenance operations are being targeted for audits at a substantially increased rate. This panel will provide tips for preventing and surviving an audit of your fleet operations.
5:00PM - 6:30PM Networking Night on the Town at Dick’s Last Resort Sponsored by:
THURSDAY JUNE 9, 2011 8:30AM - 4:00PM ASSETWORKS FLEET SOLUTIONS WORKSHOP
Learn about the latest features in AssetWorks’ FleetFocus fleet management software, FuelFocus fuel management system and the KeyValet automated motor pool solution. AssetWorks senior project management staff will review all the great features in the current release, discuss what is in the pipeline for the next release, and help with all functionality questions. This workshop will help you understand the newest product features to improve your operation and better manage costs. Interact with other AssetWorks solution users to learn how they cope with the business challenges you face every day. Lunch will be included.
9:00AM - 4:30PM FASTER All-Day Event 9:00AM - 10:00AM
Demonstration of FASTER Web, the industry’s leading Fleet Management System.
10:15AM - 11:30AM FASTER Fleet University:
This Fleet University session will be tailored to help fleet professionals focus on current issues and best practices in the fleet industry.
12:30PM - 4:30PM FASTER User Training:
This user training focuses on the needs of Fleet Managers, Assistant Managers and Administrators who use FASTER allowing them to take their operation to the next level.
9:00AM - 4:00PM CAFM/CAFS Examination Program participants must pre-register by May 26th in order to sit for this exam, and can do so at www.fleetcertification.org/exams. Please contact NAFA directly with any questions.
p rove Your Track Record! l 800-576-8788 for more information.
4/18/11 11:19:57 AM
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REGISTRATION PRICES
Sponsored by:
On or Before May 20, 2011
After May M 20, 20 2011
Full Show Pass
$495
$595
Supplier Pass (Includes Full Conference, Keynotes, Exhibit Hall
$495
$595
Spouse Pass (Includes Meal Functions Only.)
$95
$125
(Includes Full Conference, Keynotes, Exhibit Hall Access, Scheduled Meals and Networking Events.)
Access, Scheduled Meals and Networking Events.)
ADDITIONAL TRAINING (Available for Free with Your Full Conference Pass)
▶ 100 Best Fleets Roundtable ▶ Technology Forum ▶ AssetWorks Fleet Solutions Workshop ▶ FASTER All-Day Event Association discounts available. Please contact the Association Partners below for more information.
Hotel Information:
San Diego Marriott Hotel & Marina
Call: (800) 228-9290 or (619) 234-1500
Per Diem Rate of $131 per night before May 15, 2011 available until the block is sold out Mention Government Fleet Expo when booking your room. LEAD SPONSORS
MAJOR SPONSOR
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Register Now at www.GovFleetExpo.com or call 800-576-8788.
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MAXIMIZE THE LIFE OF GROUNDS MAINTENANCE EQUIPMENT
Manufacturers recommend maintenance schedules and key maintenance procedures for the pieces they sell to government fleets. Some also offer software programs or online support to help monitor usage, track costs, and budget for replacement. BY STEPHEN BENNETT
G
rass-cutting time is coming anew to those parts of the country where there are seasons, so government fleet managers in those regions are doing what their peers in Florida and Arizona do year round: aiming a critical eye at their fleet of grounds maintenance equipment. “Like most equipment, if you take care of it, it’s going to pay off in less downtime and it’s likely to last longer,” said Craig Horstick, product support specialist with the agriculture and turf division of John Deere. Manufacturers recommend maintenance schedules and key maintenance procedures for the pieces they sell to government fleets, and some offer soft-
ware programs or online support to help monitor usage, track costs, and budget for replacement. Maintenance of this type of equipment is based on hours of operation, and “it’s going to vary depending on where you are in the country,” Horstick said. “Down in Florida, I know there are machines that put on a thousand hours every
season,” whereas in Illinois “a machine might put on just 300 or 400 hours a year,” he said.
PROPER MAINTENANCE IS KEY Service life of a machine can vary too, from perhaps 1,500 hours to twice
AT A GLANCE General maintenance of grass-cutting equipment should include: • Thorough machine cleaning. • Using fresh fuel. • Changing engine oil. • Checking and replacing air and fuel filters. • Lubricating wear points. • Sharpening mower blades. • Verifying tire pressure. A power lift on Grasshopper front mount mowers facilitates accessibility to the underside of the deck for simplified maintenance, as well as space-saving portability and storage.
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OFF-ROAD that, or even more. “We’ve seen machines with up to 3,000-plus hours on them,” Horstick said. According to Ray Garvey of the marketing division of The Grasshopper Co., prior to first use in the spring, general maintenance should include: a thorough cleaning of the machine; starting out with fresh fuel; changing engine oil (as well as plugs and carburetor maintenance on nondiesel models); checking and replacing air and fuel filters; lubricating all wear points; sharpening mower blades (and replacing bent or worn out blades); and verifying tire pressures (and mower deck pitch). Cleaning. “We recommend using low-pressure compressed air and a cloth for cleaning the machine,” Garvey said. “Avoid use of high-pressure washers, as they can force water into electrical components or engine orifices, which can cause problems later.” A thorough cleaning of the machine not only extends service life, but also helps uncover service issues that may create downtime later. For example, wiping down the machine will help identify any loose fittings or worn hoses that might need replacing. Belt tensions can also be checked while cleaning, and adjusted if necessary. On liquid-cooled units with radiators, make sure cooling fins are clean and free of obstruction in addition to checking anti-freeze quality with a refractometer. Don’t apply any force to radiator fins that might damage them. Fuel. Fresh fuel is critical to engine performance. Fuels are reformulated throughout the year, and fresh fuel will be formulated for the current season. This may be even more critical with use of high ethanol fuels and biodiesels. Engine oil. Clean engine oil will extend engine life by reducing wear and will potentially reduce fuel consumption as well. Always refer to the engine owner’s manual for recommended service intervals, oil viscosities, and quantities. Filters. Air and fuel filters should be replaced at the beginning of the season and then at intervals recommended by the engine operator’s manuals. Lubrication. When lubricating equipment, follow the equipment maker’s recommended guidelines, with careful attention made to wiping off all excess 38
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The John Deere Ztrak Pro 950A features a two-cylinder, 31 hp engine with onboard diagnostics and forward travel speed of up to 12 mph.
grease. Excess grease is not only hard on bearings, it also acts as a magnet to dirt and grit, which can work its way into the wear points and cause rapid wear. Blades. Sharp, well balanced mower blades have a major impact on performance as well as improving quality of cut. A sharp blade requires less power to cut, thus helps realize fuel savings. Balanced blades also reduce vibrations, increasing operator comfort. Tire pressure. Tire pressure on riding equipment is an often overlooked service item, Garvey said. It should be checked daily. Tire pressure affects traction, quality of ride, wear and tear on the machine, and the deck pitch of mowers. Mower decks should always be level, or slightly higher in the rear, to avoid double-cutting and excessive horsepower demand, as well as to produce the best quality cut. Garvey singled out some variables affecting service life of commercial mowing equipment: liquid-cooled versus air-cooled engines; commercial pump and wheel motor drive systems versus planetary gear systems; and fabricated construction of the mower deck versus stamped steel. Different organizations have different philosophies for determining when to
replace equipment, Garvey noted. Some entities rotate equipment every two or three years in order to maintain product warranty coverage and to obtain highest trade-in values. Other entities believe in using a piece of equipment for the entire length of its useful service life. Budgetary issues such as ease or difficulty of obtaining funding also play a role. One helpful step is to estimate projected service costs for the upcoming year and compare that to quotes received on leasing or purchasing new equipment.
NEW TECHNOLOGY FACILITATES MAINTENANCE Technology and obsolescence should be factored into the decision to replace older equipment. New engines are more fuel efficient, and drive systems more robust with less maintenance requirements. Machine design can also facilitate care of the equipment. Kubota’s ZD221 has an optional front lift designed to allow quick, simple maintenance without removing the mower deck, and the manufacturer’s ZD323 features an integral lift. John Deere has introduced technology features to support maintenance. “Our dealers have the capability to hook up a laptop to [some of] the machines to help
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Available in 48- and 54-inch options, Kubota’s ZD221 offers a 21 hp Kubota diesel engine in a compact zero-turn frame.
them diagnose problems, which leads to cheaper and quicker repairs,” Horstick said. The proprietary John Deere software program is called Service ADVISOR and is available only to dealers, he noted. The diesel-powered 1600 Wide Area Mower (WAM) can be diagnosed with the software. On the gasoline-powered Z950 Zero Turn Radius Mower (ZTR), an LED display on the machine’s hour meter provides alerts to help with troubleshooting. For example, if the power take-off clutch is drawing too much electrical current, a code will flash to indicate that; there is also a diagnostic trouble code that shows in the event that the battery is not charging properly. “While that machine doesn’t have the ability to connect to the laptop, it does give the operator or technician some feedback,” Horstick said. “Fleet management has always been done in a very old-fashioned way,” said Carlos Calderón, senior marketing manager with The Toro Co., noting maintenance shops typically use a whiteboard to list all equipment, along with model, serial number, and how many hours it has. “And if they can squeeze it into the whiteboard,” he added, “they put in the last time the oil change was done and they try to go from there.” But it is sometimes inconvenient, not to mention time-consuming, to go out and get the machine hours and write down the model and serial number, then go back and look at the whiteboard to see what’s due for a service. To speed execution of that chore, and facilitate related ones,
The Toro Groundsmaster 5900 features a 99 hp turbo-diesel engine with factory-installed climate-controlled cab.
Toro created an online service a couple of years back, myTurf.com, which Calderón called “an electronic whiteboard.” Entering information on each piece of equipment is done through a simple point-and-click process in which the user clicks on a manufacturer, a model, types in the serial number of the unit, and gives it a name. (The system covers competitors’ pieces as well as Toro’s.) Thereafter, that equipment item is linked to its service manual, service bulletins, training materials, and the like so that they are instantly available when the user clicks on that piece of equipment. “It’s almost like it’s served to them on a tray,” Calderón said. Each piece of equipment is also linked to the Toro distributor’s parts pricing database. The Toro system can generate reports showing costs, unit history, hours, and so on. Further, recording of hours can be facilitated via wireless meters that can be installed on existing machines. The wireless meters record usage hours until the machine drives within 250 feet of a wireless base station, whereupon the information is transmitted to the online fleet database, and usage hours for that machine are updated automatically. A red circle appears on screen next to the unit when it needs maintenance.
REALIZING FINANCIAL BENEFITS On the fiscal side, the Toro system helps government fleets understand their costs, said Paul Danielson, finance marketing manager for the equipment manufacturer. It becomes possible to
answer the question, “How much are you spending on that mower?” “In the past, people knew in aggregate, but no one really knew down to the machine level,” Danielson said. It’s typical for tax-supported fleets to have a substantial budget for repair and maintenance, but a limited capital budget, Danielson observed. That means when the engine blows out on an eight-year-old mower, there might not be funds in the capital budget to replace it. But the repair and maintenance budget might have the funds. This could lead to a questionable purchase of a replacement engine for $10,000. “You’ve got a piece of equipment that’s worth $5,000 even with the new engine in it,” Danielson said. “You do it because you can, but is that really in the best public interest?” On the distributor side, Toro provides a fleet management software program that enables distributors to build a customer’s budget years ahead, said Danielson. If a fleet manager wants to replace a unit or units at the end of five or six years, for example, the program helps the distributor forecast the impact on the fleet’s budget. The distributor can run variables, such as different interest rates and equipment prices, for comparative purposes, Danielson added. SOURCES • Carlos Calderón, senior marketing manager, The Toro Co. • Paul Danielson, finance marketing manager, The Toro Co. www.toro.com • Ray Garvey, marketing division, The Grasshopper Co. www.grasshopperdiesel.com • Craig Horstick, product support specialist, John Deere. www.deere.com/usa
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NEW PRODUCTS CATERPILLAR M SERIES 2 MOTOR GRADERS BOBCAT M-SERIES 700 PLATFORM LOADERS Bobcat Company’s 700 platform loaders include the S750 and S770 skidsteer loaders, the T750 and T770 compact track The T770 features a 92 hp engine, 3,475-lb. Rated Operloaders, and the A770 all- ating Capacity (ROC), and up to 11 feet of vertical lift. wheel steer loader. These machines replace various K-Series models. All 700 platform machines have vertical lift path arms and a height-tohinge pin measurement of 132 inches — 3.5 inches higher than the K-Series loaders. The machines also feature 23 gallons per minute standard hydraulic flow — 11 percent more than the K-Series. The 700 platform cab-forward loaders have the same increased hydraulic performance as the other M-Series loader models. A redesigned cooling system allows for increased efficiency and higher performance; a new design makes cooling system cleaning easier, according to Bobcat. WWW.BOBCAT.COM
Caterpillar’s 140M2 and 160M2 motor graders, along with their all-wheel-drive counterparts, the 140M2 AWD and 160M2 AWD, feature clean-burning, fuel-efficient engines that meet Tier 4 Interim/Stage IIIB emissions standards, according to the company. M Series 2 models are designed for a broad range of tasks, including heavy blade work, road maintenance, ripping, and precision-finishing applications. The new M Series 2 models all use the Cat C9.3 ACERT engine with variable horsepower (VHP). The 140M2 and 160M2 have ranges of 193 to 243 and 213 to 263, respectively. Net horsepower ratings for the 140M2 AWD and 160M2 AWD are 202 to 243 and 223 to 263, respectively. WWW.GOVBIDSPEC.COM
GOODALL MFG. FLEET-START JUMPSTARTER Fleet-Start, from Goodall Mfg., is a jumpstarting machine designed for heavy-duty jumpstarting. The Fleet-Start gives users more jumpstarting power than batteries alone, according to the company. Its modular design allows for easy access and hassle-free in-field maintenance, and Goodall’s “Safe-Start” technology is designed to protect fleet vehicle electronics and has been tested under extreme conditions, the company stated. The Fleet-Start replaces the Purkeys Fleet Electric “Lightning In A Box” and has the ability to jumpstart up to 40 vehicles before it needs to be recharged, according to Purkey’s Fleet Electric, which is partnered with Goodall. WWW.GOODALLMFG.COM
The Fleet-Start allows for heavy-duty jumpstarting.
The Caterpillar 140M2 motor grader has a variable horsepower range of 193 to 243.
TEREX UTILITIES SINGLE REEL LOADER CABLE PLACER
Terex Utilities added the TCP40SL to its cable placer lineup. This Single Reel Loader was added to the cable placer offering to provide additional side reach capabilities and the flexibility to be configured for a wider range of work practices and applications, according to Terex. Key features of the TCP40SL include: • Same standard features as the original TCP40DL (DL denotes Double Loader). • Curb side reach at 28.7 ft. • 6,000 lbs. rear reel capacity. • 2,000 lbs. strand carrier capacity. • Redesigned roller guides in body. • Relocated tow line for easier use. • Open deck layout body design. The TCP40SL provides additional side reach capabilities and flexibility, according to the WWW.TEREX.COM company.
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GROUNDS MAINTENANCE EQUIPMENT GRASSHOPPER MODEL 430D MAXTORQUE DIESEL MIDMOUNT The Grasshopper Co.’s Model 430D features a 30 hp fuel-efficient, hightorque, liquid-cooled threecylinder MaxTorque diesel Model 430D features a 30 hp fuel-efficient, highengine. MaxTorque diesel torque, liquid-cooled three-cylinder MaxTorque engines are Tier 4-Interim diesel engine. compliant and B-5-ready and can save up to 900 gallons of fuel per 1,000 hours of use compared to gasoline and LP counterparts, according to the company. In addition, increased power and productivity from Model 430D allow more acreage to be covered in less time. Available with 61- and 72-inch DuraMax Decks, Model 430D can be fitted with rear discharge, mulching, and PowerVac Collection options. The Model 430D is suited for fleets looking to reduce emissions and increase productivity, the company stated. WWW.GRASSSHOPPERDIESEL.COM
JOHN DEERE 1600 WIDE AREA MOWER (WAM) The 2011 John Deere 1600 Wide Area Mower (WAM) has an 11foot cutting width and can mow up to 68 acres in an eight-hour day, The 2011 WAM includes a new mow the company stat- valve and new wing deck hydraulic ed. The WAM is motor, allowing the mower to run at less equipped with an pressure and cooler temperatures. overhe a d-va lve, four-cylinder, liquid-cooled 57-hp Yanmar diesel engine, which is Interim Tier IV compliant, and an on-demand or full-time mechanical rear-wheel drive. Other key updates include standard run-flat tires on the front and wing mower decks and a standard air ride, fully adjustable seat. New folding roll-over protective structure (ROPS) design and a new engine monitoring and diagnostic console in the operator station add to the ease of operation of the machine, according to the company. A B-20 biodiesel kit is also available on the 1600. WWW.DEERE.COM/USA 42
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The Groundsmaster 360’s Quad-Steer technology minimizes turf damage due to unique steering geometry, according to Toro.
TORO GROUNDSMASTER 360 QUAD STEER ROTARY MOWER The Toro Company’s Groundsmaster 360 combines the agility of a zero-turn riding mower with the flexibility of an out-front rotary mower. Using Quad Steer all-wheel steering, with the added control of a steering wheel, the Groundsmaster 360 has the improved hillside traction and stability to go places (subject to slope limitations) inaccessible to many other large-area riding mowers, the company stated. Toro’s three new Groundsmaster 360 models with Quad Steer all-wheel steering include a twowheel drive model, four-wheel drive model, and four-wheel drive model with a permanent allseason safety cab. All models’ cutting decks are 72 inches wide in side discharge, rear discharge, or Guardian Recycler configurations. WWW.TORO.COM
KUBOTA ZD323 Kubota’s 23 hp ZD323 features a 60-inch mower with 6.5-inchdeep design, allowing efficient cutting for heavy conditions. The mower provides close to 45 lbs. per foot of The ZD323 features a 60-inch mower with torque. Kubota’s diesel 6.5-inch-deep design. engine can offset the price of diesel and can also significantly reduce overall fuel operating costs, according to the company. Operator comfort is ensured with a user-friendly instrument panel and deluxe suspension seat. An oscillating front axle further increases operator comfort, and an integral lift allows quick and simple maintenance of the deck without time-consuming removal. WWW.KUBOTA.COM
May 2011
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2/23/11 11:06:57 7:28:23 AM 4/21/11
By Mike Antich
PUBLIC FORUM
THE VALUE OF CREATING A FLEET ADVISORY BOARD
W
hat do the cities of Santa Rosa, Calif.; Castle Rock, Colo.; and Sacramento, Calif., have in common? All of them employ fleet advisory boards. In the case of the City of Santa Rosa, its fleet advisory board is a committee of customer department representatives that convenes on a quarterly basis. It consists of appointed employees from: Utilities, Public Works, Transit, Recreation and Parks, Police, and Fire. The board members oversee the utilization program and replacement prioritization, and review all additional fleet vehicles prior to budget development. They also monitor the performance criteria established for the Fleet Services section in meeting its goals, which were established in the budget process. Similarly, the Town of Castle Rock uses its fleet advisory committee as a customer service tool. The Castle Rock fleet advisory committee includes one representative from each town department and meets quarterly. The committee has two purposes: provide performance feedback to the Fleet Services division and help make policy decisions concerning the Town’s fleet. Likewise, the fleet advisory board for the City of Sacramento is used to facilitate internal/external communication and separately to monitor and improve customer service provided to city user departments by the Fleet Management Division.
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The key reason fleet advisory boards are successful is because they offer customers/ users a say in managing the fleet. By its nature, a fleet advisory board institutionalizes ongoing communication and helps increase customer understanding of the constraints and challenges facing fleet operations.
SETTING EXPECTATIONS If you are planning to create a fleet advisory panel, it is important, from the outset, to clearly state your expectations as to the purpose of the board. As the fleet manager, you need to drive the fleet advisory process. Initially, this includes determining how often the board will meet, the length of each meeting, how long committee members will serve, and how new members will be selected. It is important to rotate new members into the fleet advisory board. However, you need to be cognizant of balancing the need for continuity with the need for fresh ideas and perspectives. As the chairperson, you can’t “wing” these meetings. To get the most out of an advisory board meeting, it is necessary to prepare for each meeting far in advance. You should give careful thought when developing the meeting agenda. However, developing the meeting agenda isn’t a solitary effort. Solicit input and suggestions for the agenda from each of the advisory board members. Distribute pertinent information well in advance
of the meeting to allow members to come prepared to address the scheduled topics. Not only should you give indepth thought to the agenda, but also to how you will be managing the discussion during the meeting. To ensure the fleet advisory committee is productive, you must listen to each of your board members and address voiced concerns. Run the fleet advisory board as you would other official departmental meetings. Someone should be assigned the responsibility of documenting the discussion. These written minutes should be circulated to not only all participants, but also to senior management. In addition, the minutes should document the recommendations or action plans to address the issues discussed. A fleet advisory board is a powerful tool to gauge the perception of fleet operations by your user groups. It is important that you include on the board people who will challenge you, even on minor issues. Don’t dismiss minor problems as unimportant, as they can fester and eventually grow into more serious problems. When you meet, hold nothing back and remain open to challenges. Do not become defensive. An advisory board discussion must be open and frank, so don’t be offended if you hear things you don’t like. The purpose of the advisory board is to suggest ways to correct the problems identified by committee members. Advisory board members
should know you want their honest opinions. Encourage communication to flow both ways. Consult with your advisory board before making major changes in fleet operations.
SELECTING THE RIGHT PEOPLE It is important to choose the right people for a fleet advisory board. When forming a board, you want members to be problem solvers who are quick studies with strong communications skills, and are open-minded. It is important to be respectful of the time commitment of each of board member. Don’t waste their time. Make sure every meeting is well facilitated so that specific action items, assignments, and deadlines result. Once a year, assess how effectively the advisory committee is functioning. Is the committee serving its purpose? Ask committee members to provide feedback on the effectiveness of the advisory board. Do they feel their work is making a difference? Do they feel their input is valued and taken into account by fleet operations when planning and implementing initiatives? Fleet advisory boards require a lot of work and are not for thin-skinned managers, but the benefits are substantial — just ask the cities of Sacramento, Santa Rosa, and Castle Rock. Let me know what you think. mike.antich@bobit.com
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THE CHALLENGE: MAXIMIZING COMFORT WHILE ON PATROL OUR SOLUTION: ALL-NEW 2011 CHEVROLET CAPRICE PPV
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Offering best-in-class interior space, the Chevrolet Caprice Police Patrol Vehicle is designed to make long hours on patrol more comfortable. Its front seats are specially contoured to accommodate police equipment belts. Officer comfort is also enhanced with standard 8-way driver and 4-way passenger power seat controls. The Caprice’s long wheelbase design creates plenty of room for front seat travel/recline. And its tilt and telescoping steering column is fully adjustable to complement any seating position. Investigate further at chevroletcapriceppv.com.
Shown with equipment from an independent supplier and is not covered by the GM New Vehicle Limited Warranty. GM is not responsible for the safety or quality of independent supplier alterations. ©2010 General Motors
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